Man Hospitalized After Driving Into House

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A car crashed into the back of Fort Smith home around early Wednesday morning (March 26).

The accident happened on South Ridge Drive around 6:30 a.m., according to Fort Smith police.

""It was kinda hidden," said Cpl. Truman Phillips with Fort Smith Police. "He came through a back yard, across the field, so didn't actually come off any of the streets in the neighborhood, so it took us a little bit to find it."

When police arrived on scene, they said they found the driver unresponsive. The driver was then taken by ambulance to Mercy Hospital. His condition is unkown at this time, according to police.

Authorities say they're looking into whether the driver had a medical condition which could of caused the wreck.

According to police, the man was driving along highway 271 when something caused him to go off road, driving through several fences. The driver came to a stop after ramming into the back of a family's house.

Three people were asleep in the home at the time of the accident. One of the parents woke up and got everyone out of the house. None of the family members were injured.

The family tells 5NEWS that they were glad no one inside the home was hurt.

The room that the driver crashed into used to be a bedroom, according to the family.

Police said no citations have been issued as of Wednesday, (March 26) morning. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

UPDATE: According to police the driver has been identified as Austin Cates, 27, and he was cited for careless drive. Police said no further charges were expected unless toxicology from blood drawn suggest otherwise. His condition was updated to stable.

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5 comments

This is the most grammatically incorrect news story I have ever seen on this station. I am embarrassed that this is on the internet representing “journalism” in the River Valley. (e.g., “around early Wednesday morning;” “could of caused the wreck.”)

Mark Smith

Nunya

I’m surprised that KFSM reported something that happened in Fort Smith. Although they’re based here, it’s obvious they’d rather not be here. I purchased a subscription to the SWTR just to get local news as 5’s focus seems to be on NWA. I only visit this site to see if they have reported anything happening in Ft Smith. Normally the stories are all NWA. Can’t stand to watch their news anymore.